Bank holiday boom: attack of King Billy’s army upon Carrickfergus Castle will be brought back to life with historic re-enactment – FULL DETAILED SCHEDULE

It will be free, and will involve 40 actors recreating the 1689 event, when the forces of King William III (King Billy) attacked the Jacobite stronghold of Carrickfergus.

The siege lasted a week, after which the defenders were allowed to leave the castle – defeated, but with “the honours of war” (a military custom showing respect to vanquished foes who fought honourably).

The events take place from 11am to 4pm, during which time there will be other entertainment: face painters, balloon modelling, a falconry display, a performance by CWA Brass, and a pop up cinema showing Pixar films, and an artisan market.

Here is the full schedule:

11.45: Compere sets the scene by the castle

Noon: Parade begins from Town Hall to castle

12.10: Alarm is raised, garrison retire to the castle and hoist King James flag

12.15: Schomberg (King Billy’s commander) assembles his forces before the castle

12.20: McKarty (the Jacobite defender) leaves the castle for parley

12.25: Parley breaks down and McKarty retires to the castle, taking prisoner the town dignitaries

12.30: Schomberg orders siege to commence, musketeers advance to give fire, cannon battery constructed, dragoons advance

12.35: First cannon shot is fired

12.40 Fife and Drum strike up a merry tune, garrison return fire

12.50: Townspeople approach Schomberg due to damage to town

12.55: Dragoons run low on ammunition and retire to camp to reload

13.00: Lull in firing. Verbal exchange between garrison and a Williamite soldier. Single shot fired killing soldier

13.05: Firing recommences, all musketeers and cannon

13.10: White flag waved, firing ceases, McKarty leaves the castle for parley

13.15: Having agreed surrender terms McKarty retires to the castle and surrenders to Schomberg. As garrison match off towards the back of the green they are assaulted by townspeople. Schomberg intervenes to stop a breach of the terms of surrender

13.30: King William lands and is escorted up the Quay to the town, followed by musical performances

14.20: The re-enactment starts, with King Billy the victor! Troops are assembled, and cannon fired in remembrance

15:00: Re-enactment ends.

NOT ONLY, BUT ALSO:

Meanwhile, there will be a military music event at 7pm on September 11 at the castle.

The Massed Bands of the Army’s four Irish Regiments perform together for the first time in Northern Ireland in 35 years.

The evening will feature displays from the bands of the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment, alongside the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Queen’s Royal Hussars.

There will also be a performance from a choir of Fijian soldiers who serve in Irish regiments.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning, here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/massed-bands-of-the-irish-regiments-tickets-165408588541?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

It is also being live streamed across Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the British Army’s social media platforms.

More from the News Letter:

Click here: Sinn Fein boss Mary Lou McDonald heaps praise upon Martina Anderson after forcing her out of seat

Click here: Ryanair blames government’s £13 passenger tax as it axes all flights from Northern Ireland

Click here: Pigs will fly – catering firm apologises over image of depressing bacon sandwich on Ryanair flight

Click here: South east health trust implores public to get vaccinated to ease ‘extreme pressure’ on A&E after shocking Ulster figure revealed

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry, acting editor